I have noticed a particular trend in the removal and stealing of Catalytic Converters from motor vehicles that are being repaired or parked on display for sale at the car dealers. I have also noticed that this trend has also gone as far as the entry ports like Tin Can Island as well as Cotonou ports.
Being a mechanical engineer and auto technician with training from the UK, it’s hard to believe that unscrupulous elements are removing a vital component that ensures the smooth running of a car engine as well as helping in keeping our environment safe from the Global Warming and saving the planet from an impending disaster.
Since the beginning of this year I have observed that several cars that have come into my workshop here in Abuja have either had the catalytic converter stolen here in Nigeria or removed at the ports. Three of the cars had come directly from Cotonou and have never been to the workshop for any repairs as testified by their owners. One of them, an Acura RL 2008 model had all the catalysts removed and stuffed with burnt out tyre wires. The engine knocked completely as the car was being driven to Abuja.
Continue reading after the cut....
A catalytic converter is a vehicle emissions control device which converts toxic byproducts of combustion in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine to less toxic substances by way of catalyzed chemical reactions. The specific reactions vary with the type of catalyst installed. Most present-day vehicles that run on petrol are fitted with a “three-way” catalytic converter, so named because it converts the three main pollutants in automobile exhaust fumes: Carbon monoxide, Unburned hydrocarbon and Oxides of nitrogen. The first two undergo catalytic combustion and the last is reduced back to nitrogen.
Many vehicles have a close-coupled catalytic converter located near the engine's exhaust manifold and a secondary converter on the down stream exhaust pipe usually located underneath the car. The unit close to the exhaust manifold heats up quickly and helps in reducing cold-engine emissions by burning off hydrocarbons from the extra-rich mixture used to start a cold engine.
The most plausible reason why your car’s catalytic converter is constantly being targeted by thieves is because the catalyst is made up of a mix of precious metals.
Platinum is the most active catalyst and is widely used in the manufacture of the catalytic converter including Palladium and Rhodium. Copper, Cerium, Manganese and Nickel are also used.
These are very expensive precious metals and are very highly sought in the metal black markets around the world. The average price for the content of a catalytic converter in the metal black market ranges from N2k to N10k. Replacing them could cost between N10k to N150k depending on your car model.
These thieves cleverly remove the converter and completely gut out the honeycomb catalyst element and then replace the emptied shell on the car. This would normally cause a noticeable droning sound as the exhaust blows through the hollowed out catalytic converter which also serves as muffler. Their solution to this problem is to plug up the exhaust pipe with wire nettings from burnt out tyres or simply leave it as it is. It’s possible that you may be driving around in your car without noticing this.
If a catalytic converter is removed, the consequences could possibly lead to: Poor engine performance, Higher fuel consumption MPG, Higher toxic exhaust emissions, Check engine light staying on due to P0420 code and other related codes being detected by the on-board computer.
If your car needs to spend more than a day at the workshop, ensure that your catalytic converter is there before you leave. If you are set to buy a tokunbo car, also check to see if the cat is there.
You can start by checking if yours has been removed by listening to the hollow sound of the exhaust when you rev the car engine. Have the cars put on a lube service pit or raised and examine if there are weldings on the catalytic converter housing. Also gently tap to hear out for hollow sounds. Better still; have it removed for a more thorough physical examination.
- Car-Doctor/Nairaland
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